What might the past look like in a future world? The Museum of the Future offers a unique insight into a “future past”: visionary technologies and concepts are presented as if they were already part of our history. This deliberate staging not only makes the future conceivable, but also tangible. This creates a space in which new developments can be conceived, discussed and reflected upon – an ideal basis for strategic foresight, innovation processes and social exchange.
The Museum of the Future is an innovative spin-off project and prototype of the Foresight Cube. It combines scientifically sound future scenarios with creatively designed, immersive 3D environments in a virtual reality (VR). The museum is technologically based on Unreal Engine and enables natural, control-free interaction through experimental hand tracking, which significantly enhances immersion. This interactive implementation makes the abstract world of future trends and technologies vivid and emotionally accessible. The content and artifacts are modular and can be flexibly adapted to different target groups and questions.
The artifacts presented in the Museum of the Future serve as narrative anchor points and enable a structured examination of possible futures. Each object represents a moment in the “future past” and reflects significant socio-cultural, technological and economic developments. These artifacts are condensed future scenarios – material representations of possible technological innovations, social norms or ecological conditions.
The artifacts not only visualize concepts, but also serve as starting points for discussions, analyses and the development of future options for action. They help to make abstract trends and developments tangible and enable the simulation of possible contexts in immersive environments. These tangible future scenarios promote a deeper emotional and cognitive examination of possible futures and can be used in foresight workshops to make well-informed strategic decisions.
Fraunhofer Institute for Technological Trend Analysis INT